Raw, Refined Sugar May Gain in New York, London, Survey Shows

By M. Shankar and Elizabeth Campbell

Sept. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Raw-sugar futures and refined-sugar contracts may climb this week, according to a survey.

Five of nine traders, analysts and brokers surveyed last week forecast that raw sugar traded in New York would gain. Four predicted a decline. Raw sugar added 5.8 percent to 22.86 cents a pound last week.

Five of nine said white sugar traded in London would rise, and four anticipated a drop. White, or refined, sugar lost 0.1 percent to $566 a metric ton last week.

Six of nine people said refined sugar’s premium over raw sweetener would widen, one expected a narrowing and two said the gap would be little changed.

Bullish on raw sugar: 5       Bearish: 4     Neutral: 0
Bullish on white sugar: 5     Bearish: 4     Neutral: 0
Widening white premium: 6     Narrow: 1      Neutral: 2

To contact the reporters on this story: M. Shankar in London at mshankar@bloomberg.net; Elizabeth Campbell in New York at ecampbell14@bloomberg.net